JP6375734B2 - Communication apparatus and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication control method.

  For communication devices such as facsimile devices and telephones connected to the telephone line network, the appropriate range of current and voltage flowing between the exchange and the communication device at the time of connection is defined as a standard in order to maintain a certain communication quality. ing. The communication device maintains a characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is determined within a range that satisfies the standard, and the current value and voltage value of the line formed with the exchange are the current values on the characteristic curve. And adjusted to match the voltage value.

  Since standards for current values and voltage values differ from country to country, a control circuit that adjusts the current value and voltage value is required for each country in order to meet the communication specifications of each country. In order to avoid such mounting of a plurality of control circuits, a semiconductor data access device (DAA; Data Access Arrangement) that adjusts a current value and a voltage value with a characteristic curve corresponding to the standard of each country is used (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP 2006-191495 A

An increasing number of communication apparatuses are capable of communicating via an IP (Internet Protocol) line network via a terminal adapter as well as a conventional telephone line network.
The terminal adapter is not a repeater installed by a telephone office like an exchange, but a commercial repeater installed by a user.

  The magnitude of the current flowing through the communication device varies depending on the type of repeater, the length of the line from the communication device to the repeater, etc. It is difficult to predict how much current will flow until the relay is connected. Depending on the magnitude of the current value, the discrete components of the communication device may generate heat, causing a communication failure or failure.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress generation of heat when connected to a repeater so as to be compatible with a wide variety of repeaters.

According to the invention of claim 1,
Each time a connection is made to a communication line network via a repeater, the current value and voltage value of the line formed with the repeater are detected, and the detected current value and voltage value are within a range that satisfies the standard. A line adjustment unit for adjusting the impedance of the line so as to match the current value and voltage value on the characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is determined in
When the current value detected by the line adjustment unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit changes the characteristic curve within a range that satisfies the standard so that power consumption in the line is reduced;
A communication device is provided.

According to invention of Claim 2,
The line adjustment unit adjusts the impedance by the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed by the control unit, and adjusts the impedance by the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.

According to invention of Claim 3,
The control unit executes a process of changing the characteristic curve when the detected current value is equal to or greater than a threshold value each time the controller is connected to the communication line network via the repeater. ,
Each time the processing is executed, the line adjustment unit uses the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed, and uses the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed, to adjust the impedance. A communication device according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.

According to invention of Claim 4,
The control unit compares the current value detected by the line adjustment unit at the first connection with the threshold value, and executes a process of changing the characteristic curve if the detected current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. And
In the processing, the line adjustment unit uses the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed, and uses the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed, for the adjustment of the impedance performed at the time of connection after the first time. A communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is provided.

According to the invention of claim 5,
The control unit uses a threshold value according to a standard of each country or a specification of a semiconductor device used for the line for comparison with the detected current value. A communication device according to one aspect is provided.

According to the invention of claim 6,
A step of detecting a current value and a voltage value of a line formed with the repeater each time it is connected to the communication line network via the repeater;
When the detected current value is greater than or equal to a threshold value, a characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is defined within a range that satisfies the standard is in a range that satisfies the standard so that power consumption in the line is reduced. The process of changing within,
When the characteristic curve is changed, adjusting the impedance so that the detected current value and voltage value match the current value and voltage value on the changed characteristic curve; and
The communication control method characterized by including this is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to adjust the impedance so that the power consumption of the line is reduced by the changed characteristic curve, and it is possible to suppress heat generation in the communication device when connected to the repeater. In order to change the characteristic curve according to the current value of the current that actually flows when connected to the repeater, it is possible to adjust the impedance so that the power consumption is reduced no matter what kind of repeater is connected It can handle a wide variety of repeaters.

It is a figure which shows two communication apparatuses which can be connected to a telephone line network and an IP line network which concern on this Embodiment. It is a block diagram showing the structure of a communication apparatus for every function. It is a figure showing schematic structure of the communication part of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence when a communication apparatus starts communication. It is a graph which shows an example of a characteristic curve. It is a graph which shows an example of the characteristic curve after a change. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the communication apparatus in the case of using continuously the characteristic curve used for the adjustment of the impedance at the time of the first connection also at the time of the connection after the next time.

  Embodiments of a communication apparatus and a communication control method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows two communication devices 1 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the two communication devices 1 can be connected to a telephone line network N1 and an IP line network N2, and use either one of the telephone line network N1 and the IP line network N2. Communicate with each other.
Each communication device 1 uses the exchange 2 as a repeater when the communication line network is the telephone line network N1, and uses the terminal adapter 3 as a repeater when the communication line network is the IP line network N2. To each communication line network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the communication device 1 for each function.
As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device 1 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a communication unit 15, a reading unit 16, an image processing unit 17, an image memory 18, and an image forming unit 19. I have.
An external telephone 20 can be connected to the communication apparatus 1, and the communication apparatus 1 can also perform communication for a call using the external telephone 20.

The control unit 11 controls each unit of the communication device 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the storage unit 12. The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.
For example, when transmitting the image data by facsimile communication, the control unit 11 causes the reading unit 16 to read the original to generate image data, the image processing unit 17 performs image processing on the image data, and stores the image data in the image memory 18. Save. Then, the control unit 11 reads the image data from the image memory 18 and transmits the image data to the destination specified by the communication unit 15. On the other hand, when image data is received by facsimile communication, the control unit 11 stores the image data received by the communication unit 15 in the image memory 18. In response to an instruction from the user, the control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 19 to form an image based on the image data stored in the image memory 18 on a sheet.

  When the current value of the line formed between the control unit 11 and the repeater when connected to the communication line network via the repeater is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit 11 reduces the power consumption of the line. Change the characteristic curve used for impedance adjustment within a range that satisfies the standard. The characteristic curve refers to a curve showing the current-voltage characteristic in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is determined within a range that satisfies the standards of each country. Since the standard for the current-voltage characteristics of the line differs from country to country, a characteristic curve is prepared for each country.

The storage unit 12 stores programs, data, and the like that can be read by the control unit 11. As the storage unit 12, a storage medium such as a hard disk can be used.
The storage unit 12 stores a plurality of characteristic curves respectively prepared according to standards of a plurality of countries. When the characteristic curve is changed by the control unit 11, the storage unit 12 stores the changed characteristic curve together with the original characteristic curve before the change.

  The display unit 13 displays an operation screen or the like in response to an instruction from the control unit 11. As the display unit 13, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, or the like can be used.

  The operation unit 14 includes an operation key, a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 13, etc., generates an operation signal corresponding to these operations, and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 11.

The communication unit 15 is connected to the telephone line network N1 via the exchange 2 or connected to the IP line network N2 via the terminal adapter 3, and another communication device 1 is connected via the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2. And send and receive image data.
When the external telephone 20 is connected to the communication device 1, the communication unit 15 transmits and receives audio data with other communication devices 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the communication unit 15.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication unit 15 includes a control unit 31, a modem 32, an isolation transformer 33, a semiconductor DAA (Data Access Arrangement) 40, a discrete circuit 51, a transistor 52, and a rectifier 53.
The communication unit 15 includes two line terminals L1 and L2 for connecting to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2, and two line terminals T1 and T2 for connecting to the external telephone 20. Yes.

The control unit 31 controls each unit of the communication unit 15 in order to transmit or receive image data. The control unit 31 can be configured by a CPU, a RAM, and the like.
The control unit 31 outputs image data to be transmitted to the other communication device 1 to the modem 32. In addition, the control unit 31 outputs image data received from another communication device 1 and demodulated by the modem 32 to the control unit 11.

  The modem 32 modulates the image data input from the control unit 31 and outputs it to the semiconductor DAA 40. When the image data received from the other communication device 1 is input from the semiconductor DAA 40, the modem 32 demodulates the image data and outputs the demodulated data to the control unit 31.

  The isolation transformer 33 insulates the modem 32 from the semiconductor DAA 40 with the semiconductor DAA 40 side as a primary side and the modem 32 side as a secondary side.

The semiconductor DAA 40 switches the connection state with the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2, and adjusts the current value and voltage value of the line formed between the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 when connected. It is.
When the configuration of the semiconductor DAA 40 is expressed for each function, as shown in FIG. 3, the semiconductor DAA 40 includes a current detection unit 41, a connection switching unit 42, an impedance adjustment unit 43, and the like.

  The current detector 41 is connected to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2, and the current value and voltage value of the line formed between the exchange 2 and the terminal adapter 3, that is, the line terminal L1 and the line terminal L2 A current value and a voltage value between are detected.

The connection switching unit 42 switches between an off-hook state for connecting to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2 and an on-hook state for disconnecting the connection.
Specifically, when switching from the on-hook state to the off-hook state, the collector terminal and the emitter terminal of the transistor 52 are made conductive by passing a current through the base terminal of the transistor 52. Since voltage is applied from the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 between the line terminal L1 and the line terminal L2, a current flows between the line terminal L1 and the line terminal L2 due to conduction, and between the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 A line is formed.

  Further, when the off-hook state is switched to the on-hook state, the supply of current to the base terminal of the transistor 52 is stopped, so that the collector terminal and the emitter terminal of the transistor 52 are disconnected. Thereby, the flow of current between the line terminal L1 and the line terminal L2 is stopped, and the line formed between the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 is disconnected.

The impedance adjustment unit 43 adjusts the impedance of the line so that the current value and the voltage value detected by the current detection unit 41 satisfy the standard.
Specifically, the impedance adjustment unit 43 adjusts the impedance so that the current value and the voltage value detected by the current detection unit 41 match the current value and the voltage value on the characteristic curve. The impedance can be adjusted by changing the base potential of the base terminal of the transistor 52.

  The discrete circuit 51 is a semiconductor device configured by discretes such as resistors, capacitors, and transformers between the line terminals L1 and L2 and the semiconductor DAA 40.

  The transistor 52 has a base terminal connected to the semiconductor DAA 40, a collector terminal connected to the rectifier 53, and an emitter terminal grounded.

  The rectifier 53 rectifies the polarity of the current flowing between the line terminal L1 and the line terminal L2 in one direction.

  The reading unit 16 reads an image of a document set by a user and generates bitmap format image data. The reading unit 16 includes, for example, a scanner and an automatic document feeder that feeds sheets one by one to the scanner.

  The image processing unit 17 performs various image processes on the image data generated by the reading unit 16. Examples of the image processing include enlargement / reduction processing, page number addition, page allocation, gradation correction processing, and the like.

The image memory 18 stores the image data image-processed by the image processing unit 17.
As the image memory 18, a storage medium such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) can be used.

  The image forming unit 19 forms an image on a sheet according to the image data. The image forming method of the image forming unit 19 is not particularly limited, and may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

FIG. 4 shows a processing procedure when the communication device 1 starts communication.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the start of communication is instructed by the user via the operation unit 14 (step S1; Y), the control unit 11 instructs connection to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2.

  In the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches the on-hook state to the off-hook state (step S2). The semiconductor DAA 40 detects the current value and voltage value of the line formed with the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 by switching to the off-hook state (step S3).

The control unit 11 acquires the current value detected by the semiconductor DAA 40 and compares it with a threshold value (step S4).
At this time, the control unit 11 sets the threshold according to the standards of each country for the current value and voltage value of the line, the specifications of the semiconductor devices used for the line in the communication unit 15, such as the semiconductor DAA 40, the discrete circuit 51, etc. It is preferably used for comparison with the current value.

For example, when the current value ranges satisfying the standards of country A and country B are 20 to 120 mA and 40 to 160 mA, respectively, the control unit 11 determines that country A is the country in which the communication device 1 is installed. 120 mA, which is the upper limit of the current value, can be used as the threshold value. On the other hand, in the case of country B, 160 mA, which is the upper limit of the current value in country B, can be used as the threshold value.
In addition, when the heat resistance of the discrete circuit 51 of the communication unit 15 is low, 100 mA can be used as the threshold value, and when the heat resistance is high, 150 mA can be used as the threshold value.
When the detected current value exceeds the threshold value, the impedance is adjusted so that the power consumption is reduced. By selecting the threshold value used for the comparison as described above, the impedance is adjusted to reduce the power consumption. Whether or not to do so can be determined according to the standards of each country, the nature of the semiconductor device, and the like.

  When the detected current value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S4; N), the control unit 11 reads the characteristic curve corresponding to the country in which the communication device 1 is located from the storage unit 12, and outputs the characteristic curve to the communication unit 15. In the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches the off-hook state to the on-hook state (step S5), and then adjusts the impedance using the characteristic curve output from the control unit 11 (step S6). After the adjustment, the process proceeds to step S11.

FIG. 5 shows a characteristic curve K as an example.
As described above, in order to maintain a certain communication quality, the appropriate range of the current value and voltage value of the line for connecting to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2 is standardized for each country. In FIG. 5, a range surrounded by two broken lines indicates a range satisfying the standard. The relationship between the target current value and voltage value in the communication device 1 is defined as a characteristic curve K within a range that satisfies this standard. By adjusting the impedance so that the actually detected current value and voltage value coincide with the current value and voltage value on the characteristic curve K, the current value and voltage value that vary depending on the installation environment of the communication device 1 can be obtained. Can be controlled to meet the standard.

Specifically, each time the impedance is changed, the semiconductor DAA 40 detects the current value and the voltage value, and changes the impedance until the current value and the voltage value on the characteristic curve K coincide with each other or approach each other.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when a current value and a voltage value corresponding to the point P1 are detected, the impedance is increased in order to decrease the current value and the voltage value. Thereafter, when the current value and the voltage value corresponding to the point P2 are detected, the impedance is decreased in order to increase the current value and the voltage value. As a result, when the current value and the voltage value corresponding to the point P3 where the difference between the current value and the voltage value on the characteristic curve K is equal to or smaller than the threshold value are detected, the impedance adjustment is finished.

On the other hand, when the detected current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step S4; Y), the control unit 11 reads a characteristic curve corresponding to the country in which the communication device 1 is arranged from the storage unit 12. And the control part 11 changes a characteristic curve within the range which satisfy | fills the specification of the said country so that the power consumption in a line | wire may become small (step S7).
For example, when the threshold value is 120 mA and the detected current value is 160 mA, when the characteristic curve K shown in FIG. 5 is changed, the control unit 11 determines the voltage value corresponding to the current value 160 mA of the characteristic curve K. As shown in FIG. 6, E1 (V) is lowered within a range satisfying the standard, and is changed to a voltage value E2 (V). The voltage value E2 (V) after the change is more preferable as it is closer to the lower limit value E3 (V) within the range satisfying the standard because power consumption can be reduced and heat generation can be suppressed. Further, after the impedance is adjusted in accordance with the changed voltage value E2 (V), the changed voltage is set so that the voltage value does not fall below the lower limit E3 (V) even if the current flowing through the line varies. The value E2 (V) is preferably larger than the lower limit E3 (V).

The control unit 11 stores the changed characteristic curve in the storage unit 12 (step S8). In addition, the control unit 11 outputs the changed characteristic curve to the communication unit 15.
In the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches the off-hook state to the on-hook state (step S9), and adjusts the impedance using the changed characteristic curve output from the control unit 11 (step S10).
In the case of the characteristic curve K after change shown in FIG. 6, the voltage value E1 (V) corresponding to the detected current value 160 mA is changed to the voltage value E2 (V), so that the semiconductor DAA 40 has a current value of 160 mA. The impedance is adjusted so that the voltage value becomes E2 (V).

After adjusting the impedance, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches from the on-hook state to the off-hook state (step S11).
When switched to the off-hook state, the control unit 11 transfers image data to be transmitted from the image memory 18 to the communication unit 15 and starts a communication operation for transmitting the image data by the communication unit 15 (step S12).

  When the installation environment of the communication device 1 changes frequently and is often connected to a different type of repeater each time, the communication device 1 is instructed to start communication with the processing procedure described above, and the telephone line network N1 or IP line By executing it every time it connects to the network N2, it is possible to change the characteristic curve in accordance with the newly connected repeater. As a result, the impedance can be adjusted so that heat generation is suppressed even when connected to a wide variety of repeaters.

  On the other hand, when the installation environment of the communication device 1 does not change and the connected repeater is fixed, the communication device 1 executes the above-described processing procedure only at the first connection, and the next processing procedure at the next and subsequent connections. Can also be executed.

FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure executed by the communication apparatus 1 at the next and subsequent connections after the processing procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed at the first connection.
As shown in FIG. 7, when a communication start is instructed by the user via the operation unit 14 (step S21; Y), the control unit 11 connects the communication unit 15 to the telephone line network N1 or the IP line network N2. Instruct.

  In the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches the on-hook state to the off-hook state (step S22). When the semiconductor DAA 40 detects the current value and voltage value of the line formed with the exchange 2 or the terminal adapter 3 by switching to the off-hook state (step S23), the semiconductor DAA 40 switches to the on-hook state again (step S24).

  When the on-hook state is switched, the control unit 11 reads out the changed characteristic curve and outputs it to the communication unit 15 when there is a changed characteristic curve stored in the storage unit 12 (step S25; Y). On the other hand, when there is no changed characteristic curve stored in the storage unit 12 (step S25; N), the control unit 11 reads the original characteristic curve that has not been changed from the storage unit 12 and outputs it to the communication unit 15.

  When the changed characteristic curve is output to the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 adjusts the impedance using the changed characteristic curve (step S26). On the other hand, when the original characteristic curve is output to the communication unit 15, the semiconductor DAA 40 adjusts the impedance using the original characteristic curve (step S27).

When the adjustment of the impedance is finished, the semiconductor DAA 40 switches from the on-hook state to the off-hook state (step S28).
When switched to the off-hook state, the control unit 11 transfers the image data to be transmitted from the image memory 18 to the communication unit 15 and starts a communication operation for transmitting the image data by the communication unit 15 (step S29).

  As described above, the communication device 1 according to the present embodiment detects a current value and a voltage value of a line formed with the repeater each time it is connected to the communication line network via the repeater. A semiconductor that adjusts the impedance of the line so that the detected current value and voltage value match the current value and voltage value on the characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is determined within a range that satisfies the standard. When the current value detected by the DAA 40 and the semiconductor DAA 40 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the controller 11 changes the characteristic curve within a range satisfying the standard so that the power consumption in the line is reduced.

According to the communication device 1, the impedance can be adjusted so that the power consumption of the line is reduced by the changed characteristic curve, and heat generation in the communication device when connected to the repeater can be suppressed. Since the heat generation can be suppressed by adjusting the impedance, it is not necessary to mount a new circuit to suppress the heat generation, and the expansion of the circuit and the increase in cost can be prevented.
In addition, since the characteristic curve is changed according to the current value of the current that actually flows when connected to the repeater, the impedance is adjusted so that the power consumption is reduced no matter what kind of repeater is connected. It is possible to cope with a wide variety of repeaters.

The above embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this. Modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described processing procedure, the control unit 31 may execute processing such as a characteristic curve change performed by the control unit 11.

  Further, as a computer-readable medium of a program that can be read by the control unit 11 or 31, a non-volatile memory such as a ROM and a flash memory, and a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM can be applied. A carrier wave is also used as a medium for providing program data via a communication line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication apparatus 11 Control part 12 Storage part 15 Communication part 40 Semiconductor DAA
41 Current detection unit 42 Connection switching unit 43 Impedance adjustment unit 51 Discrete circuit 52 Transistors L1 and L2 Line terminal 2 Switch 3 Terminal adapter N1 Telephone line network N2 IP line network

Claims (6)

Each time a connection is made to a communication line network via a repeater, the current value and voltage value of the line formed with the repeater are detected, and the detected current value and voltage value are within a range that satisfies the standard. A line adjustment unit for adjusting the impedance of the line so as to match the current value and voltage value on the characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is determined in
When the current value detected by the line adjustment unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the control unit changes the characteristic curve within a range that satisfies the standard so that power consumption in the line is reduced;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The line adjustment unit adjusts the impedance by the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed by the control unit, and adjusts the impedance by the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit executes a process of changing the characteristic curve when the detected current value is equal to or greater than a threshold value each time the controller is connected to the communication line network via the repeater. ,
Each time the processing is executed, the line adjustment unit uses the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed, and uses the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed, to adjust the impedance. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. The control unit compares the current value detected by the line adjustment unit at the first connection with the threshold value, and executes a process of changing the characteristic curve if the detected current value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. And
In the processing, the line adjustment unit uses the changed characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is changed, and uses the original characteristic curve when the characteristic curve is not changed, for the adjustment of the impedance performed at the time of connection after the first time. The communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein   The control unit uses a threshold value according to a standard of each country or a specification of a semiconductor device used for the line for comparison with the detected current value. The communication device according to one item. A step of detecting a current value and a voltage value of a line formed with the repeater each time it is connected to the communication line network via the repeater;
When the detected current value is greater than or equal to a threshold value, a characteristic curve in which the relationship between the current value and the voltage value is defined within a range that satisfies the standard is in a range that satisfies the standard so that power consumption in the line is reduced. The process of changing within,
When the characteristic curve is changed, adjusting the impedance so that the detected current value and voltage value match the current value and voltage value on the changed characteristic curve; and
The communication control method characterized by including.

Images